After Real Madrid's third consecutive La Liga draw, coach Xabi Alonso analyzed the lack of prolonged dominance in the match against Girona. The team equalized only via a Kylian Mbappé penalty, despite improving in the second half. Alonso stressed the need to examine why they do not sustain more minutes of quality football.
Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Montilivi against Girona, marking their third consecutive away draw in La Liga. This has overturned a five-point lead over Barcelona after the Clásico, turning it into a one-point deficit. Kylian Mbappé scored the Whites' goal from a penalty won by Vinícius Júnior, his only league goal in the last three matches, all from penalties in Girona. The team took 25 shots but only four on target, with Mbappé accounting for 23 of Madrid's 41 total goals this season.
In the press conference, Xabi Alonso highlighted the lack of accuracy: “We lacked aim.” He acknowledged second-half improvements: “We improved in the second half, had more chances and pushed more. We could have scored. The team showed desire to come back from 1-0. There were three or four clear opportunities.” Without reproaches for his players, the Basque coach delved into the gameplay: “We lacked completing more minutes of good football, offensive football, dominance. We did it more in the second half. Why it happens is what we need to look at.”
In the preview, Alonso had already pointed to the lack of continuity as a key issue in the first four months. “But well, this is very long. We're there and we have to continue with the unity we have,” he added, admitting the need for a win on Wednesday at San Mamés. At halftime, he substituted Arda Güler for Eduardo Camavinga, an unusual move impacting play creation, as Güler underperforms alongside Jude Bellingham. Éder Militão posed the biggest threat in the first half, with a header saved by Gazzaniga, while Mbappé's goal was disallowed for handball. Rodrygo matched the worst scoring drought for a Madrid forward: 30 games, like Mariano Díaz.